Training & Education

Welcome to the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC) Private Security, Private Investigator, and Bail Bond Recovery Agent Firearms Certificate Page.  You must have a Firearms Certificate to obtain an Armed License from the Washington State Department of Licensing (WA DOL).  The WSCJTC is mandated to issue Firearms Certificates per RCW and WAC.

Firearms Certificate Program Update 11/2023

Firearms Certificate Program Update 05/2023

Obtaining a Firearms Certificate

Prior to applying for a firearms certificate, Private Security & Investigators must have an active unarmed or armed license issued by WA DOL. And Bail Bond Recovery Agents must have either an armed/unarmed license issued by WA DOL or a concealed pistol license.

Applications must be submitted by the employing company.

Companies must submit the initial firearms certificate application packet through the WSCJTC Acadis Portal. If you need access to the Portal, please contact pspi@cjtc.wa.gov.The Firearms Certificate process:

• Apply at the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) for your Armed License.
• Complete an 8-hour Firearms Certificate Training Class using a Private Security Certified Instructor. We offer a study guide that is available for download.
• Complete the written test.
• Complete your firearm qualification for each firearm make/model you carry while working (including long arms, if applicable)Fully Commissioned Law Enforcement Officers that would like to apply for a Firearms Certificate, please view this information sheet. 

Application submission:

Companies must send the initial application packet to WSCJTC on the guard’s/investigator’s/agent’s behalf through the WSCJTC Acadis Portal. If you need access to the Portal, please contact pspi@cjtc.wa.gov.  

Fees are submitted separate from the application packet.

Fee submission:

The $100 application fee (per application type & per person) must be sent to the WSCJTC in tandem with the application. Once the fee is received, staff will begin processing the application. Approved applications will result in a firearms certificate being emailed to the applicant, the company, and WA DOL. 

There are 2 options for fee submission:

1. Mailed in: Attach a note or memo to the payment and allow 2 weeks for processing this type of payment. The WSCJTC accepts checks, cashier’s checks, money orders, or ACH/Wire Transfers. We do not accept credit or debit cards. 

WSCJTC
Attn: PS/PI/BBRA
PO Box 40905
Olympia, WA 98504-0905

2. ACH/Wire Transfer: If you would like to use ACH/ Wire Transfer, click here for instructions.  

Termination, Resignation and Transfers

Terminations/Resignations:

Once an armed employee is no longer working armed, has resigned, or has been terminated, company representatives may complete the “Separation of Civilian/Non-Certified Personnel Webform” through the WSCJTC Acadis Portal.

Agency Transfers There is no cost for this transaction.

To be eligible for an agency transfer:

• The applicant must have a current firearms certificate issued in the name of the previous employer.
  • Applicant may log into their Acadis Portal account to obtain a copy, or
  • A copy may be requested through pspi@cjtc.wa.gov.
    • Please allow a minimum of 2 business days for a response.
• Applicant must be hired within 60 days of leaving former employer.

How to submit application

• Email as a COMBINED PACKET in a PDF format to pspi@cjtc.wa.gov
  • Do not submit through Acadis.

Required Documents:

• Form 721A – Application
• Copy of current WSCJTC firearms certificate issued under former employer.
• Form 723 – Criminal History Records Check
• If retaining expiration date of previous employment’s firearms certificate:
  • Form 729 – Handgun Qualification
    • Must conduct a new handgun qualification, with a PS Handgun instructor, for new company.
• If renewing previous employments firearms certificate:
  • Applicant must attend a 4-hour renewal course.

• Form 729 – Handgun Qualification
• Form 731 – Firearms Certificate Written Test

Optional Forms:

• Include qualification forms 728, additional 729, and/or 730(a), as applicable.
  • One qualification form is required for each firearm listed on this form.

Add/Remove Firearms to/from an active firearms certificate. There is no cost for this transaction.

How to submit application

• Email as a COMBINED PACKET in a PDF format to pspi@cjtc.wa.gov
  • Do not submit through Acadis.

Required Documents:

• Form 721B - Application
• Employer must complete and sign this form.
  • Include qualification forms 728, 729, and/or 730, as applicable.
    • The firearms qualification forms must be completed and signed by a PS Certified Firearms Instructor and the Applicant.
    • One qualification form is required for each firearm listed on this form.

*Please note, adding a firearm to a firearms certificate, will not renew the certificate.* 

Application Documents

 The following forms are available for download and use:

Packet - PS Add-Remove Firearms

Packet - PS Firearms Certificate Application

Packet - PS Agency Transfer

Form 728 – PS Shotgun Qualification Form

Form 730 and 730A – PS Rifle Qualification Form

Additional Resources/ Frequently Asked Questions

Overview of the eight-hour and four-hour certification training.  

Instructor Complaints

• How do I file a complaint against a WSCJTC employee, certified instructor, contractor, or student? Please contact Marisa Peer at marisa.peer@cjtc.wa.gov.

Contacts

For additional information on the Firearms Certificate Program, please contact:

Tisha Tyler, Program Manager
(206) 779-5381
pspi@cjtc.wa.gov 

Roxana Jenny-Williams, Administrative Assistant
pspi@cjtc.wa.gov